dolorosa_12 | Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructre: suggestions for concrete actions

Russia's tactic of targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure is not new, but it has been particularly brutal this winter, with the combination of four years of relentless attacks on civilian infrastructure, the near cessation of US military aid (in particular air and missile defence) and an incredibly cold winter proving particularly devastating. I spent most of yesterday reading increasingly panicked internal mailing list items at work as the main university library was closed (in 10ish-degree temperatures) due to a lack of water and heating. Meanwhile, Kyiv has experienced weeks of sub-zero temperatures, and most of its residents have no (or limited) electricity, heating, or water in their homes: a situation that has become a severe crisis.

Anastasiia Lapatina is a journalist and young mother in Kyiv, and she describes the situation in a recent Substack newsletter with devastating clarity. Kyiv's brave and resilient people carry on — businesses adapt and stay open, the government implements crisis planning, ordinary people find whatever workarounds they can to stay warm and fed — because they have no other option.

While we cannot stop Russia from continuing to perpetuate this cruelty, there are, as usual, concrete things that we can do in response. If you live in a country whose elected politicians are meant to represent to interests of their constituents, contact them about this situation, and ask what they (whether in government or opposition) are intending to do in response to it.

Investigate Ukrainian advocacy groups in your country or region. In the UK, I've been to protests, vigils and other advocacy events organised by the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, and being signed up for their newsletter (or following their or equivalent groups' social media accounts) is a good way to stay informed about upcoming ways you can show your support (or protest your government's actions or inaction) in person.

If you are financially able, the Anastasiia Lapatina newsletter item linked above includes a fundraiser that she and some American colleagues are running to buy large (expensive) batteries for struggling residents of Kyiv. This will, at least, allow them to power some appliances, including portable heaters, for a few hours a day. They have already bought two batteries for two families. I have donated to this fundraiser and trust these individuals to be responsible with the money they collect.

I had expected that United24, the Ukrainian government fundraising platform, would have had a targeted campaign to gather funds to support residents struggling without heat and water, but I can't see anything specific on their website as of 17 January. I do know that the government organises 'invincibility points' (sites in cities and large towns where residents can go to warm up, get hot drinks, and power mobile phones and other devices), so I would assume a donation to their 'Rebuilding' or 'Medical' strands may help in that direction.

This current state of affairs is chilling in a literal and psychological sense.

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